Research Proposal Development Officer - Department of Education

The Department of Education at the University of Nicosia invites applications for one (1) position of Research Proposal Development Officer. The position aims to strengthen the Department’s research capacity and funding activity through the development, writing, and submission of high-quality research proposals to competitive international, European, and national funding programmes.

The successful candidate will work closely with the Department’s academic and research staff, providing expert support throughout the full proposal development cycle: from identifying suitable funding opportunities and shaping initial research ideas to proposal writing, quality assurance, and final submission.

• The position is offered on a one-year employment contract, with the possibility of renewal. Renewal will be subject to the Department’s research needs and a review of the successful candidate’s performance.
• The position will be based primarily on campus at the University of Nicosia, with the possibility of remote work in certain circumstances, subject to the Department’s operational needs and relevant University policies.
• An attractive remuneration package shall be offered, in accordance to qualifications and experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Systematically monitor international, European, and national funding opportunities and identify those that align with the research expertise, interests, and strategic priorities of the Department’s academic and research staff.
• Provide regular electronic updates to staff on relevant competitive funding calls and emerging funding opportunities.
• Analyse and interpret funding calls, policy priorities, evaluation criteria, and eligibility requirements, translating them into clear, competitive, and fundable project concepts.
• Design and develop research proposals for programmes such as Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, CERV, and COST, as well as funding opportunities offered by national bodies such as IDEP and RIF, and other international funding schemes.
• Collaborate with academic staff to develop the scientific rationale, objectives, methodology, work packages, deliverables, expected outcomes, and impact pathways of proposed projects.
• Support consortium building and the development of new partnerships with universities, research centres, public authorities, businesses, and civil society organisations at national and international levels.
• Coordinate the overall proposal preparation and submission process, ensuring coherence, quality, and compliance with funder requirements.
• Manage multiple proposals and demanding timelines in close collaboration with the relevant members of the Department.
• Contribute to strengthening the proposal-development capacity of academic staff through consultation, workshops, mentoring, and the dissemination of good practices in research proposal writing.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• A recognised university degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant field or combination of fields. A doctoral degree (PhD) will be considered an additional qualification.
• Very good knowledge of English language.
• A demonstrated track record in the writing and development of competitive research proposals, including successful acquisition of research funding, particularly through programmes such as Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, CERV, and COST, or other national and international funding schemes.
• Very good knowledge of the national, European, and international research funding landscape, relevant policy priorities, proposal development and submission procedures, electronic submission platforms, and project management tools.
• Demonstrated ability to critically analyse complex funding calls and strategically align them with the research interests and expertise of academic staff.
• Excellent ability to write, edit, structure, and communicate complex scientific and technical content in English to a high professional standard.
• Very strong analytical, communication, organisational, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate multiple proposals and stakeholders simultaneously, work effectively under pressure, and meet strict deadlines.
• Ability to work independently, exercise initiative, and contribute effectively within interdisciplinary and international teams.
• High standards of professional integrity, confidentiality, sound judgement, and a constructive, solution-oriented approach to collaborative work.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

• At least two (2) years of demonstrated experience in the implementation of European or international research projects, including work package coordination and/or project budget development.
• Demonstrated experience in evaluating competitive research proposals and/or participating in internal proposal review and quality assurance processes.

Application Procedure

Interested candidates are invited to submit:

• a detailed curriculum vitae;
• a cover letter outlining their relevant experience and suitability for the position;
• a list of proposals in which they have played a substantive role, clearly indicating the funding programme, project budget, funding outcome, and their specific role; and
• contact details for two professional referees.